Bohemians sign off with a victory over Finn Harps

Bohs finished the season in style with an excellent 3-1 victory over already relegated Finn Harps.

Missing a host of first team regulars that included the suspended trio of Dan Byrne, Rob Cornwall, Keith Ward and the injured Shane Supple, for the first time of the season, Keith Ward’s depleted side took on an attacking looking Finn Harps side with three in attack up in the form of Eddie Dsane, Caolan McAleer and Danny Morrissey.

From the off the home side dominated much of the play and really should have been one up after just two minutes. Izzy Akinade was well tackled by Ciaran Coll in the box, which saw the ball rebound at hip height to top scorer Dinny Corcoran but the big striker couldn’t adjust his body in time and saw his shot go just wide.

Just before the half hour mark the home side got their rewards with Philly Gannon getting his first of the season. The ever threatening Akinade looked to play a one-two with Corcoran, but Gannon burst through the middle to latch onto the return pass. Having seen his initial effort parried by Ciaran Gallagher, the midfielder did well to continue his run and slide in to poke home.

Minutes later the home side should have doubled their lead when awarded a penalty for Packie Mailey’s handball from an Oscar Brennan’s corner. Up stepped Corcoran looking for his 16th of the season but scuffed his effort onto the post to keep it at 1-0.

Finn Harps looked a threat with the pacey front three but the much changed backline of Bohs, including the impressive debutant John Ross Wilson, kept them at bay.

The second half sparked into life following a late Mark Timlin challenge on substitute Jamie Hamilton. Handbags resulted in both Timlin and Derek Pender going into the book.

Moments later the Bohs skipper Pender didn’t brilliantly to get to the end line and clip a delightful ball to the back post for Izzy Akinade to volley home. Just a minute later the impressive Hamilton got in on the act when Oscar Brennan played a lovely ball across the box. The left winger controlled his first time strike brilliantly back across goal as Gallagher scrambled.

To their credit, Finn Harps showed some battling spirit and never give up attitude you’d expect from an Ollie Horgan side. They got a consolation their play deserved, albeit from in fortuitous fashion.

Three corners in a row saw an almighty goalmouth scramble and a black and red shirt looked to have gotten the last touch. It may well go down as an Ian Morris own goal but hard to tell.

Thanks to Cork City’s 1-0 victory over Bray saw Keith Long’s troops finish a hugely impressive 5th in the table when just weeks ago they were looking nervously over their shoulder at relegation.